Technical Foul in Thompson Case

Once again the legal system in the form of lawyers in robes has let down the people, victims of crime, and families of victims in Orange County.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed its own decision on a fabricated technicality so that they could appeal Thomas M. Thompson’s death penalty for the rape and murder of Ginger Fleischli in Laguna Beach.

As usual, the U.S. Supreme Court, instead of denying this nonsense, allowed an appeal even though the new federal death penalty law limits such appeals to the one he already had. These appeal judges admitted they made a “technical mistake,” but we are the ones that pay for it.

We pay for the incremental costs of trying and retrying these cases in a system of musical appeals. We pay as the continued victims of violent criminals, rapists and murderers because criminals continue to taunt, mock and laugh at the law and commit more crimes because they know they will never have to pay the final penalty. The families of victims die emotionally not once but a thousand times because the lawyers and judges go on forever and there is never closure.

If the rest of us, as professionals, made such bad decisions or mistakes as these “technical” errors, we would without hesitation, be held liable by them for malpractice. Judges not only are not held liable but we pay for their malpractice! It seems only reasonable that citizens have a right to expect decisions with finality from the judges we appoint and elect. After all that is their job.

MICHAEL A. GLUECK, M.D.

Director

Orange County Citizens

Against Lawsuit Abuse

Anybody that thinks Thomas M. Thompson’s alibi of a drunken slumber is ridiculous (Aug. 6) should discuss the matter with a drug or alcohol counselor or an abuser.

A person passed out on alcohol could sleep through Armageddon. Marijuana or hashish would intensify the effects.

PATRICK GAYNER

Newport Beach